Surveillance cameras in some of Denver’s most highly trafficked public areas are bound to make some people uncomfortable, but ultimately they’re just one more tool to fight crime.

While it’s creepy to think of the digital eyes that are peeping at you, you have no real privacy protections when you’re walking down public streets. This is long established in constitutional case law.

The issue has come to light as Denver prepares a significant expansion of its High Activity Location Observation program, also known as HALO. Eighty cameras already are installed, focusing on areas such as Civic Center and locations along Colfax Avenue. Another 33 are expected to come on line in August.

Some of those surveillance cameras are focused on Denver high schools, and Lt. Eddie Martinez said they can, on a case-by-case basis, be maneuvered to see inside the schools.

Martinez assures us this alternative would rarely be used — only when there is a call for service at a particular school and there is a need for more information about what’s happening inside.

Martinez gave the example of having “some type of active shooter” in a school as a circumstance in which police would focus cameras inside schools. Such a situation, of course, brings to mind the horrors that unfolded at Columbine High School as police, lacking information about what was going on inside the school, waited before entering.

But on a day-to-day basis, Martinez said, police are not going to peer into schools with the cameras. We hope police stay true to those guidelines.

Elsewhere, one can envision how such surveillance would be useful in fighting terrorism, as well as everyday crime. Since their installation, the cameras have been helpful in making about 80 arrests, according to Denver police.

In one instance, surveillance cameras recorded a man shooting a revolver at a Denver police officer. After seeing the tape, the man confessed to the shooting.

Nevertheless, unforeseen problems and issues can arise and we are glad to see that Denver’s program has an oversight committee, which includes public safety officials and the district attorney.

The addition of a defense attorney to the committee, as suggested by Denver Councilman Doug Linkhart in a Post story, is a good idea as well.

As time goes on and technology evolves, other issues may arise and would bear further scrutiny.

For instance, should people typing on a handheld device as they walk down the street have an expectation of privacy for their typed message?

It’s possible monitoring could become so advanced it could tip the scale and violate someone’s Fourth Amendment right to privacy.

But as for now, we don’t see a problem with capturing images of people on public streets.

However, we will be among those who demand that law enforcement use that power responsibly as they work to make Denver’s streets safer.

Just months ago, Republicans got away with a massive upward redistribution of wealth, raiding $1.5 trillion from the Treasury and sticking future generations with the bill. Now, they're going for more.